Key Takeaways:
- The third annual CEA Summit East attracted nearly 250 attendees from across the globe, featuring discussions with experts in the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) industry.
- The summit’s agenda included keynote presentations, educational tracks, and networking opportunities aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration in CEA.
- Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin opened the summit with a keynote address, highlighting the state’s role in the indoor agriculture sector.
- Attendees explored tabletop exhibits showcasing emerging CEA innovations, educational sessions, and research focused on the future of CEA.
- The event concluded with a tour of the CEA Innovation Center, providing an overview of ongoing research projects in hydroponics and vertical growing systems.
The third annual Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Summit East brought together nearly 250 attendees from 35 U.S. states, Canada, the Netherlands, and Hong Kong. The event, co-hosted by Indoor Ag-Con and the CEA Innovation Center—a collaboration between Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, IALR, and the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center—featured a diverse audience of growers, educators, scientists, suppliers, and government leaders. The summit provided a platform for exploring the latest advancements in CEA technology and facilitating networking opportunities across the industry.
Keynote Speakers and Industry Panels
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin opened the event with a keynote address. His remarks were followed by a session titled “What Is CEA: Its Mission, Definition, and Purpose,” where industry leaders discussed the purpose and potential of CEA. Key speakers included Paul Brentlinger of CropKing, Inc., and Jessica Soare of BrightFarms, who shared their perspectives on the growth of the industry.
On the second day, the “Leadership Insights Panel” brought together executives from major companies to discuss the current trends and future direction of the CEA sector. Panelists included John McMahon, Co-Founder of Better Future Farms, and Molly Montgomery, Acting CEO of AeroFarms. They addressed topics such as technological advancements, energy efficiency, and workforce development, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the industry.
Educational Tracks: Expanding Knowledge and Skills
The summit offered three educational tracks: Production, Business, and Education, Workforce, and Training. These sessions covered a range of topics, including food safety, crop selection, aquaponics, and the economics of CEA. Attendees also participated in discussions on energy management, employee training programs, and strategies for building international partnerships in the CEA industry.
Short 15-minute presentations, called the CEA Industry & Research Showcase, allowed participants to learn about the latest research and industry developments. These sessions provided valuable insights for both academics and industry professionals.
Exhibits and Networking Opportunities
In addition to educational sessions, the summit featured 21 tabletop exhibitors, showcasing technologies and services shaping the future of CEA. The exhibit area offered attendees a chance to engage with emerging products, including advanced hydroponic systems and vertical farming equipment. Networking sessions, including roundtable discussions and receptions, allowed attendees to foster new connections and build partnerships within the industry.
Graduate Student Poster Competition
This year’s summit also included the second CEA Graduate Student Poster Competition, highlighting innovative research from graduate students. Liam Reynolds from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign earned first place for his research on microgreens irrigation, while Nathaniel King-Smith from The Ohio State University was awarded second place for his work on hydroponic cultivation of rubber dandelions for rubber production.
CEA Innovation Center Tour
The event concluded with a tour of the CEA Innovation Center, offering attendees an inside look at its hydroponic systems and vertical growing racks. The tour highlighted ongoing research projects and provided a closer view of the Center’s advanced facilities, offering attendees insights into the future of controlled environment agriculture.
Looking Ahead
The next CEA Summit East will take place in September 2025, and the next edition of Indoor Ag-Con is scheduled for March 2025 in Las Vegas. Further details will be available on the event website.
